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Grandfather Mountain Celebrates ’60 Years of Swing’ in Sept. with Special Opportunities and Programs

Aug. 24, 2012. The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation has put together a month-long celebration during September to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The schedule reflects a variety of activities from musical and cultural entertainment to educational programming and special access to the nature park.

Two sunrise opportunities (Sept. 2 and 30) and two sunset opportunities (Sept. 7 and 21) are on the schedule as well as weekend performances by a local clogging group (Sept. 22) and local musicians (Sept. 29). In addition to these special events, the Mountain will also host the 9th Annual Kidfest, the 42nd Annual Girl Scout Day and the Bridge-to-Bridge Incredible Challenge Bike Ridge during the month. 

Certain days of the week in September also bring special opportunities. During “Retro Tuesdays,” guests 60 years and older can enjoy a reduced price of $10 per person and “The Black Bear,” “The Cougar” and “The Hawk and John McNeely” films will be shown in the Nature Museum Auditorium all day.

Hawk Watches at Linville Peak are scheduled for each Thursday in September and folks are welcome to join staff naturalists in their effort to count passing birds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those interested in actively participating are asked to register ahead of time by calling 828-733-3224.

The Mountain’s Education Staff will lead a 1 p.m. program every Saturday and Sunday called “60 Years of the Swinging Bridge.” This guided presentation is included with regular admission and focuses on the Bridge’s history, famous visitors and much more.

Winning images from the 2012 Camera Clinic’s Swinging Bridge Photo Contest will also be on display throughout the month on the second floor exhibit space of the Top Shop.

“The actual dedication of the original Swinging Bridge was Sept. 2, 1952 but we want to take more than one day to celebrate the fact that folks have been enjoying the Bridge and Grandfather Mountain for so many decades,” said Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation President Penn Dameron. “We hope that many of Grandfather’s friends return in September to join us for all the great activities.”

The 228-foot suspension bridge was originally built in 1952 and rebuilt in 1999 using the original towers. The Bridge, one mile high in elevation, spans an 80-foot chasm and is often the highlight of a trip to Grandfather Mountain. Since 2010, the Bridge has been accessible to people with disabilities.

For more details on the month-long celebration please visit www.grandfather.com.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources.

For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.